Catch Welfare Platform
The Catch Welfare Platform is a 2023-founded, industry-science membership network that convenes seafood fisheries, processors, retailers, certifiers, scientists, and NGOs to develop science-based solutions for improving fish welfare in commercial capture fisheries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2023
- Headquarters—
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Catch Welfare Platform does
The Catch Welfare Platform, founded in 2023, is a global, industry-science driven membership network that convenes seafood industry stakeholders — including commercial fisheries, processors, retailers, certifiers, scientists, equipment makers, and NGOs — to develop pragmatic, science-based solutions for improving animal welfare in commercial capture fisheries. It was co-founded by Wageningen Research (Netherlands), the Institute of Marine Research Norway, Nofima (Norway), and project lead Michelle Boonstra, and is anchored by senior fisheries and welfare researchers with extensive peer-reviewed publications and EFSA/FAO/ICES participation. The platform has grown to 250+ members from 32 countries across six continents and operates through an annual conference (third edition scheduled for November 2025 in IJmuiden, Netherlands), the Catch Welfare Innovation Award and Idea Challenge, educational resources, and the "Catch Welfare – The Podcast."
The organization does not develop or sell technology products; it functions as a knowledge-sharing and convening network. Its core offerings are the membership program, the annual conference, award and challenge programs, and a resources hub distributed via website, YouTube, and social channels (LinkedIn, Instagram, BlueSky). Revenue mechanics are anchored on a subscription/recurring membership model in principle, but no publicly disclosed pricing exists and the platform explicitly generates no commercial revenue. Activities are underwritten by Open Philanthropy as the primary funder. Key participants and partners span retailers (Marks and Spencer, Tesco), certification bodies (Marine Stewardship Council), equipment vendors (AceAquatec, Optimar, Resqunit), and academic institutions across Europe and Asia, with additional EU-funded collaboration through the VeriFish Project on sustainability indicator frameworks.
Catch Welfare Platform firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Catch Welfare Platform
- Legal name
- Catch Welfare Platform
- Website
- https://catchwelfareplatform.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2023
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Catch Welfare Platform is a 2023-founded, industry-science membership network that convenes seafood fisheries, processors, retailers, certifiers, scientists, and NGOs to develop science-based solutions for improving fish welfare in commercial capture fisheries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Catch Welfare Platform industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Sustainable Seafood Industry Collaboration
- NAICS
- Support Activities for Animal Production (115210), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting (11), Fishing (1141)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Aquaculture & Fish Health Services (AFAEANAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Animal Welfare & Advocacy Organizations (AFAEALAC), Animal Welfare Auditing, Compliance & Certification Services (Non-testing Lab) (AFAEALAN), Advocacy, Policy & Public Awareness (Animal Welfare) (BPAGAIAJ)
Keywords
Catch Welfare Platform business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Fees: The platform operates as a membership organization, inviting seafood industry participants, researchers, retailers, and equipment makers to become members. Revenue is generated through membership contributions that fund platform activities, conferences, and initiatives.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels9 records
Catch Welfare Platform product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Catch Welfare Platform is a global, industry-science driven membership network that convenes commercial fisheries, seafood processors, retailers, scientists, certifiers, equipment makers, and NGOs to develop pragmatic, science-based solutions for improving animal welfare in capture fisheries. The platform generates revenue through membership fees and philanthropic funding, and delivers value via an annual conference, innovation awards, idea challenges, working workshops, a podcast, and educational resource libraries. It does not develop or sell proprietary software; its core offering is knowledge-sharing, community convening, and collaborative advocacy for welfare-responsible fishing practices.
Product overview
The Catch Welfare Platform is a single, unified membership network and knowledge-sharing platform founded in 2023. It connects seafood industries, research institutions, retailers, and other stakeholders to improve animal welfare in fisheries. The platform operates through several integrated components: a core membership network, the annual Catch Welfare Conference, the Innovation Award and Idea Challenge programs, educational resources, and a podcast (Catch Welfare – The Podcast). The platform's mission is to guide the transition toward fishing practices and technologies that improve the welfare of the catch through pragmatic, science-based solutions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Catch Welfare Platform Membership Program A membership program for seafood-related businesses, fishing industry professionals, processors, certifiers, scientists, retailers, and equipment makers to join the catch welfare conversation and stay informed, forming the core commercial offering of the platform.
- Catch Welfare Conference An annual conference bringing together industry professionals, researchers, and stakeholders to discuss catch welfare, featuring expert discussions, live technology demonstrations, and dedicated workshops including a crustacean welfare workshop.
- Catch Welfare Innovation Award An annual award recognizing groundbreaking developments in catch welfare technology and practices, with winners selected for delivering more humane and efficient alternatives in commercial fisheries.
- Catch Welfare Idea Challenge A competition where innovators pitch ideas to improve catch welfare, with winners selected through open competition and audience voting at the annual conference.
- Catch Welfare — The Podcast A podcast co-hosted by Michelle Boonstra and Oliver McBride covering catch welfare topics, providing a long-form audio channel for the platform's research and industry dialogue.
- Catch Welfare Resources Library An online resources hub providing educational materials including conference presentations, expert videos, and research resources on catch welfare topics, accessible via the platform website and YouTube channel.
Quantifiable outcome
- 91% of European consumers believe fish deserve same protection as other farm animals (China: 87%, USA: 78%)
Companies that use Catch Welfare Platform
Customer profileSegments7 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Catch Welfare Platform technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Catch Welfare Platform partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Wageningen ResearchcoreFounding research institution of the Catch Welfare Platform. Contributes scientific expertise in animal health, welfare, and fisheries research. Wageningen Livestock Research focuses on stress and welfare of captured fish species.
- Institute of Marine Research Norway (IMR)coreFounding research institution providing fisheries science expertise. Researchers focus on stress and mortality among animals encountering fishing gears, and developing welfare-conscious practices for commercial fisheries.
- NofimacoreFounding research institute contributing expertise in fish welfare, quality, and slaughter of fish and shellfish. Researchers include Dr. Ragnhild Svalheim and Dr. Bjorn Roth with extensive publications in electrical stunning and welfare.
- Michelle BoonstracoreCo-founder of the platform and Project Manager. Former role at Good Fish Foundation accelerating transition to sustainable seafood. Previously Project Manager for Fisheries Research at Wageningen Marine Research.
- Zhejiang UniversityminorAcademic partner contributing to the platform's global research network on fish welfare.
- Vietfish MagazineminorVietnamese seafood industry publication serving as a regional partner in the platform's network.
- UIT The Arctic University of NorwayminorAcademic partner contributing research expertise, including Dr. Endre Grimsbo working on electro stunning techniques and welfare of aquatic animals.
- The Fishing DailyminorOnline fishing industry publication and platform participant. Editor Oliver McBride serves as Communications Advisor for CWP.
- Good Fish FoundationminorDutch seafood sustainability organization publishing seafood guide. Platform participant focused on market transformation for sustainable seafood.
- Ethical Seafood ResearchminorResearch organization focused on ethical seafood practices, participating in the platform network.
- AceAquatecminorAquaculture technology company developing welfare-improving equipment, participating in the platform ecosystem.
- Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)minorLeading sustainable seafood certification organization, platform participant contributing to sustainability standards.
- Marks and SpencerminorUK retailer participating in platform, with Fisheries Manager involved in Clawbinder Pro innovation development.
- TescominorMajor UK supermarket with sustainability focus on marine protection, participating as platform member.
- Fisheries Innovation and Sustainability (FIS)minorLed development of the 2025 Catch Welfare Innovation Award-winning Prawn Stunning and Tailing Machine in partnership with seafood supply chain businesses.
- Pot Fishing AgencyminorOriginator of the 2025 Catch Welfare Idea Challenge-winning Clawbinder Pro system. Works with industry stakeholders including Marks and Spencer and Shellfish Association of Great Britain.
- VeriFish ProjectminorEU-funded project collaborating with CWP on sustainability indicator framework. Hosting working lunch at 2025 conference to assess framework with producers and retailers.
- WorldFishminorInternational research organization focused on aquaculture and fisheries, platform participant.
- Seafood MatterminorSeafood industry platform participant in the CWP network.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Catch Welfare Platform competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Catch Welfare Platform social profiles
Digital presenceCatch Welfare Platform financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Catch Welfare Platform leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Catch Welfare Platform funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Catch Welfare Platform M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Catch Welfare Platform
What does Catch Welfare Platform do?
The Catch Welfare Platform is a global, industry-science driven membership network that convenes commercial fisheries, seafood processors, retailers, scientists, certifiers, equipment makers, and NGOs to develop pragmatic, science-based solutions for improving animal welfare in capture fisheries. The platform generates revenue through membership fees and philanthropic funding, and delivers value via an annual conference, innovation awards, idea challenges, working workshops, a podcast, and educational resource libraries. It does not develop or sell proprietary software; its core offering is knowledge-sharing, community convening, and collaborative advocacy for welfare-responsible fishing practices.
Is Catch Welfare Platform a public or private company?
Catch Welfare Platform is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Catch Welfare Platform founded?
Catch Welfare Platform was founded in 2023. It employs 1 to 10 people.
How does Catch Welfare Platform make money?
One revenue line is on record: membership Fees.
Does Catch Welfare Platform have an API?
No public API is recorded for Catch Welfare Platform.
What industry is Catch Welfare Platform in?
Catch Welfare Platform's product category is Sustainable Seafood Industry Collaboration. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAEANAE, Aquaculture & Fish Health Services, with a secondary code of AFAEALAC, Animal Welfare & Advocacy Organizations. Its NAICS code is 115210 and its SIC code is 8600.